matka
[ˈmatka]feminine
The English word mother is translated into Czech as matka.
The word matka refers to a female human who gives birth to or parents a child.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal, biological or legal contexts, you should use matka. In casual conversation with family, matka can sound somewhat distant or clinical. For informal situations, you can use máma to mean mom or mommy or maminka to refer to one's own mother.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on its role in a sentence. Use the form matky to indicate possession or the genitive case, such as in 'mother's house'. Use the form matku when the mother is the direct object of a verb, such as in 'I love my mother'.
Did you know?
- In Czech, the word matka is also used to describe the 'mother' or female part of a mechanical device, such as a nut on a bolt.
- The word matka is formed by adding the diminutive suffix -ka to the ancient root máti, which means 'mother'.
- In Czech literature, calling a woman matka instead of a name can be a stylistic choice to emphasize her role as a nurturer or a symbolic figure rather than an individual.
Examples in context
- Je vaše matka doma?Is your mother at home?This sentence is useful for asking if matka is at home.Tatoeba #5058241 by lovermann, translation #63957 by CK
- Kdo je tvoje matka?Who is your mother?This sentence is useful for asking who matka is.Tatoeba #9980327 by aldar, translation #2892871 by CK
- Má matka dělá koláč.My mother is making a cake.This sentence is useful for describing an action being performed by matka.Tatoeba #4785719 by aldar, translation #320639 by CK
- Prosím, kontaktujte mou matku ohledně této záležitosti.Please contact my mother regarding this matter.
- 108 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukáš and Lucie are talking about their families.
- LukášKde teď pracuje tvoje matka?Where does your mother work now?
- LucieMoje matka je lékařka v nemocnici.My mother is a doctor in a hospital.
- LukášTo je skvělé, Lucie.That is great, Lucie.
- LucieAno, velmi ráda svou práci dělá.Yes, she enjoys her work very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries matka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries matka, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
